Clamp for straightening an automobile body or frame

ABSTRACT

A clamp for straightening an automobile body or frame which includes two gripping members which permits attaching a pull chain in such a manner that the gripping members may be pulled in any desired direction without repositioning the gripping members. The gripping members are rectangular plates bolted to opposite sides of the automobile body or frame. A clevis may extend above one plate so that a link of the pull chain can be attached by a clevis pin. Alternatively, gripping member may have one or more D-shaped lops extending normal to the plate, while the other gripping member has at least one loop extending from an end of the plate and at least one loop extending laterally from a side of the plate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to tools used for repairing an automobile and, more specifically, to a clamp used in straightening an automobile body or frame.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Devices that aid in straightening automobile bodies and frames are known. Typically, when straightening an automobile body or frame, a device is used to secure a chain to the damaged portion of the body or frame. The chain is then pulled by a hydraulic pulling machine which thereby pulls the body or frame back to a normal shape. However, a common problem associated with the devices used to secure a pulling chain to the body or frame is that the devices cannot be easily manipulated to allow for a change in the direction in which the body or frame is being pulled. After a body or frame is pulled for the first time, it often needs to be pulled again but in a different direction. However, for devices attached by bolts, this requires removing the bolts, drilling new holes and reattaching the device.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 3,241,352 to Lincourt teaches a pull clamp comprising a set of jaws that grip an area of sheet metal when two nut and bolt assemblies are tightened. However, the nut and bolt assemblies do not pass through the sheet metal and therefore do not help secure the device. As a result the device is susceptible to slippage.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 3,631,705 to McCaffery teaches a frame-anchoring tool with a hook, bolt and cam that is secured to a frame by inserting the bolt head and the cam into a hole in the frame. However, because the device has only one hook, it must be loosened and repositioned when a change in pulling direction is desired.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 3,641,805 to Reinke teaches a sheet metal puller consisting of a block and a pair of interlocking rod members. To pull an area of sheet metal, the rod members are inserted through drilled openings in the sheet metal and into openings within the block. With the rods secured to the sheet metal and the block, the block is then pulled via an eyebolt. However, due to the arrangement of the block and interlocking rods, the device is not suitable for pulling in a direction other than perpendicular to the sheet metal. Additionally, the device is not capable of pulling an automobile frame.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 3,690,712 to Bahrman teaches an S-shaped hook and collar. One end of the device is intended to hook to an opening in a frame and the other end to a pull chain. The device does not incorporate bolts or other means for secure attachment to an automobile frame and, therefore is subject to slippage.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 3,818,750 to Ballweber teaches a frame-anchoring hook incorporating an L-shaped hook that is intended to fit into a bore in the frame. However, the device does not incorporate the use of nut and bolt assemblies and therefore is subject to disengaging when being pulled.

[0010] U.S. Des. Pat. No. 319,523 to Hall shows an ornamental design of a device used to straighten a vehicle frame. Although the device is referred to as a clamp, it does not incorporate two opposing gripping members.

[0011] None of the above inventions and patents is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Therefore, a clamp for straightening an automobile body or frame solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The clamp for straightening an automobile body or frame has two gripping members that are secured to an automobile body or frame via a plurality of nut and bolt assemblies. The clamp permits attaching a pull chain in a manner that allows the gripping members to be pulled in more than one direction without repositioning the gripping members. Four embodiments of the invention are presented, each embodiment providing a different manner for attaching a pull chain. The preferred embodiment incorporates a clevis for attaching a pull chain. Other alternative embodiments include three D-shaped loops for attachment of the pull chain. Still another alternative embodiment includes six D-shaped loops for attachment of the pull chain.

[0013] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a clamp for use in pulling out dents in automobile bodies and for use in straightening automobile frames that enables the user to pull in a plurality of different directions without repositioning the clamp.

[0014] It is another object of the invention to provide a clamp for straightening an automobile body or frame which has multiple points of attachment for a pull chain.

[0015] Still another object of the invention is to provide a clamp for straightening an automobile body or frame which can be securely attached to the body of frame and permits attachment of a pull chain connected to a hydraulic puller in order to pull the body or frame in any desired direction.

[0016] It is another object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

[0017] These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018]FIG. 1 is an environmental, front elevational view of a clamp for straightening an automobile body or frame according to the present invention.

[0019]FIG. 2 is a fragmented, environmental, side view of the clamp for straightening an automobile body or frame according to the present invention.

[0020]FIG. 3 is an environmental, perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a clamp for straightening an automobile body or frame according to the present invention.

[0021]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the clamp of FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0022]FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the clamp of FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0023]FIG. 6A is an exploded view of the clamp of FIG. 3.

[0024]FIG. 6B is an exploded view of another alternative embodiment of a clamp for straightening an automobile body or frame according to the present invention.

[0025]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of a clamp for straightening an automobile body or frame according to the present invention.

[0026]FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the clamp of FIG. 7.

[0027] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] The present invention is a clamp for straightening an automobile body or frame that enables the user to pull the clamp in a plurality of different directions without repositioning the clamp.

[0029] Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5 illustrate a preferred embodiment of the clamp, FIGS. 3 and 6A show a first alternative embodiment of the clamp, FIG. 6B shows a second alternative embodiment of the clamp, and FIGS. 7 and 8 show a third alternative embodiment of the clamp.

[0030] In the preferred embodiment, the clamp 10 has two gripping members 11 and 12 that are secured to an automobile frame F via two nut and bolt assemblies 13 and 14, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Each nut and bolt assembly 13 and 14 includes a nut 17, 18, a bolt 15, 16 and at least one washer. The threaded shank of bolts 15 and 16 extend through apertures 23 and 25, respectively, defined in the first gripping member 11, through the frame F, through apertures 24 and 26, respectively, defined in the second gripping member 12, and are secured by nuts 17 and 18, respectively.

[0031] A bolt 20 having a head defining a clevis is attached to the first gripping member 11. The threaded shank of the clevis 20 extends through an aperture 27 in the first gripping member 11 and has a nut 28 secured thereto. A pulling chain C can be attached to the clevis 20 by positioning a link in the chain C within the clevis 20 and inserting a clevis pin 21 through one fork of the clevis 20, through the link and through the other fork of the clevis 20 head. The clevis pin 21 is held in place by a hitch pin 22.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 6A, in the first alternative embodiment, the clamp 30 has two gripping members 31 and 32 that are secured by two nut and bolt assemblies to an automobile body B, as shown in FIG. 3. Each nut and bolt assembly includes a nut 33 and 34, a bolt 35 and 36 and at least one washer. The threaded shank of bolts 35 and 36 extend through apertures 38 defined in the gripping member 32, through the automobile body B, through apertures 37 defined in the other gripping member 31, and are secured by nuts 33 and 34, respectively.

[0033] Each gripping member 31 and 32 is substantially flat and rectangular. The first gripping member 31 has a D-shaped loop 39 extending perpendicularly from its top surface. The second gripping member 32 has a first D-shaped loop 40 extending perpendicularly from one of its ends and a second D-shaped loop 41 extending perpendicularly from one of its sides. A pull chain C can be hooked to any of the D-shaped loops 39, 40 and 41.

[0034] The second alternative embodiment of the clamp 50 differs from clamp 30 in only one respect, as shown by comparing FIGS. 6A and 6B. In clamp 50, the first D-shaped loop 51 extends from the opposite end of the second gripping member 52, so that clamp 50 is the mirror image of clamp 30.

[0035] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the third alternative embodiment of the clamp 60 is similar to both clamps 30 and 50. The difference between clamp 60 and clamps 30 and 50 is that clamp 60 has six D-shaped loops and four nut and bolt assemblies. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, clamp 60 has two gripping members 61 and 62. Two D-shaped loops 63 and 64 extend perpendicularly from the top surface of the first gripping member 61. Two D-shaped loops 65 and 66 extend perpendicularly from one side of the second gripping member 62; and one D-shaped loop 67 and 68 extends from each end of the second gripping member 62. Each gripping member 61 and 62 has four apertures 69 and 70 for receiving one of the four nut 72 and bolt 71 assemblies.

[0036] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims. 

I claim:
 1. A clamp for straightening a structural member of an automobile, comprising: a first gripping member; a second gripping member; a plurality of fasteners attaching the first grip member to the second grip member, the first and second grip members being adapted for gripping opposite sides of the structural member in order to clamp the structural member therebetween; and means for attaching a pull chain to one of said gripping members; wherein said means for attaching a pull chain permits said gripping members to be pulled in more than one direction without repositioning of said gripping members in order to straighten the structural member.
 2. The clamp according to claim 1, wherein said means for attaching a pull chain comprises a clevis attached to said first gripping member.
 3. The clamp according to claim 1, wherein: said first gripping member and said second gripping member are substantially flat and rectangular, said first and second gripping members being substantially equal in width, said first gripping member having a length greater than said second gripping member, said first gripping member having a fastener attachment portion and a clevis attachment portion; said second gripping member and the fastener attachment portion of said first gripping member each have a pair of fastener apertures defined therein, the fastener apertures being in registry and said fasteners extending through said fastener apertures in order to clamp the gripping members on opposite sides of the structural member; and said means for attaching a pull chain comprises a clevis mounted on and extending above the clevis attachment portion of said first member.
 4. The clamp according to claim 1, wherein: said first and second gripping members each comprise a substantially flat, rectangular plate; and said means for attaching a pull chain comprises a plurality of loops, including at least one loop extending normal to said first gripping member and at least one loop coplanar with and extending from said second gripping member.
 5. The clamp according to claim 4, wherein said plurality of loops consists of: a first loop extending normal to said first gripping member; a second loop extending from an end of said second gripping member; and a third loop extending from a lateral side of said second gripping member.
 6. The clamp according to claim 4, wherein said plurality of loops consists of: first and second loops extending normal to said first gripping member; third and fourth loops extending from opposing ends of said second gripping member; and fifth and sixth loops extending from one lateral side of said second gripping member.
 7. The clamp according to claim 1, wherein: said first and second gripping members each comprise a substantially flat, rectangular plate; and said plurality of fasteners comprises a plurality of bolts having threaded shanks and a plurality of nuts engaging the threaded shanks; whereby said first and second gripping members are adapted for being bolted together on opposite sides of the structural member in order to clamp the structural member therebetween. 